Shift Set To Return Next Year

Henry Cecil's Oaks heroine Light Shift is unlikely to have run her final race as connections anticipate keeping her in training for a four-year-old campaign.

While the final decision has yet to be made, Alan Cooper, racing manager to owners the Niarchos family, feels there would be plenty of opportunities open to the Kingmambo filly in 2008.

Light Shift was sent off favourite in her bid for a second Group One success in Sunday's Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp but could finish only sixth behind Satwa Queen.

Cooper is inclined to forgive that effort and points to a season beginning in April as the likeliest reason for her lacklustre showing.

He said: 'Light Shift was in very good form and appeared to be at the top of her game, but sometimes in a race you find out that it's one race too many.

'She'd had a very early start to the season to be right for Epsom and it's been a long year so we'll put her away now.

'I think it's most likely that she will be in training next year but we'll let her get home and settle in and see what Henry is recommending.

'There would be plenty of nice races for her next year, and all being well, she should be very competitive.

'I think one of the beauties of Light Shift is that she is effective at a mile and a half and Henry believes she can be effective over a mile and a quarter at the top level too.'

(C) PA Sport